W13: Indigenous Psychology

Question 1

What is culture?

Answer 1

Culture is learned and experienced –> not what you are born with (biological)

Not the same as race of ethnicity

Shape behaviour, norms and co-existence through shared rules/understandings

Question 2

Does culture has many levels?

Answer 2

Yes, such as values, attitudes, beliefs, worldview, etc.

Question 3

Why is culture not considered?

Answer 3

Taken-for-granted: little recognition for how it has shaped human

Given little credit: for the influence it has on cognitions, behaviours, interactions and wellbeing

Ignored: Western psychology theories heavily focus on individual’s perspective and experiences

Question 4

Aim of cross culture psychology?

Answer 4

To remove culture blindness –> giving more attention on how culture influence behaviour

Question 5

Culture Distinctions

Answer 5

‘Individualism’ or ‘collectivism’

Meaning, passage, and perspective of ‘time’ (e.g. punctuality)

Acceptable dimensions of interpersonal space/intimacy

Patterns of deference towards authority/elders

The social ‘clock’ (life milestones, life/role expectations, ‘success’)

Manifestation pf psychopathology (e.g. depression)

Question 6

Barriers to Psychology - Education

Answer 6

Negative perceptions of tertiary education and psychology

Lack of representation of Indigenous perspectives

Lack of Indigenous staff and culturally sensitive staff

Question 7

Barriers to Psychology: Health services

Answer 7

Lack of understanding of the complexity of the colonisation’s impact of current grief and trauma

Health Service accessibility

Culturally appropriate care and treatment

Not many Indigenous psychologist

Question 8

Future of psychology

Answer 8

To increase relevance and representation

Appropriate methodologies and ethical research

Targeted psychological healthcare is delivered

Encourages Indigenous students to study psychology